Director, Legal Real Estate

AutoZone; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

AutoZone seeks a Director of Legal Real Estate to lead the real estate legal function for existing assets and new store development. You will manage attorneys and support teams, oversee day-to-day operations, and coordinate with Store Development, Property Management, and other departments across the United States and Puerto Rico.

You will draft and negotiate purchase agreements, leases, and related documents while advising on risk and regulatory matters.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in Law (JD/PhD) is required.
• Active bar in Tennessee or ability to register for in-house counsel designation with the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Real Estate Legal Department, including attorneys and professionals on the real estate contracts team, legal property management team, and escrow team.
• Support Store Development in opening new retail locations across the United States and Puerto Rico.
• Represent the Real Estate Legal team at Legal Leadership and Store Development leadership levels.
• Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, all types of commercial leases and related development documents.
• Advise Store Development in the real estate development process and manage risk.
• Coordinate with Store Development and Legal internationally to develop and improve processes.
• Supervise outside counsel and manage litigation related to real property.

Job description

The Director of Legal Real Estate manages and directs all legal matters involving real estate for both existing corporate assets and for the development of new stores.

• Manage the Real Estate Legal Department, including attorneys and professionals on the real estate contracts team, legal property management team, and escrow team.


• Manage the day-to-day activities of the Real Estate Legal Department supporting Store Development in the opening of new retail locations across the United States and Puerto Rico on an annual basis.


• Manage the day-to-day activities of the Property Management Legal Department supporting Property Management, Operations, Asset Management and Maintenance for all United States and Puerto Rico retail locations.


• Represent the Real Estate Legal team at the Legal Leadership and Store Development leadership levels.


• Responsible for meeting Store Development goals/KPIs for contracts including satellite, hub and mega hub store openings, or other metrics as required, to support Company initiatives.


• Participate in the drafting and negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, all types of commercial leases and various related documents related to construction, development, zoning permitting, regulation, environmental, title and use.


• Advise Store Development in the real estate development process and proactively assist in assessing and managing risk.


• Facilitate active and ongoing communication with internal clients regarding the contracting process.


• Attend meetings with Legal Leadership, Store Development, Real Estate Committee, Property Management, etc. as needed to coordinate legal involvement and integration into processes.


• Oversee the work product of the real estate attorneys, escrow specialists and legal property management team and manage the workflow of the Real Estate Legal Department.


• Maintain reporting procedures and look for opportunities to improve processes and procedures in Property Management and Store Development.


• Keep abreast of current developments in Commercial Real Estate Law and assist in revising department policies, procedures, and real estate forms.


• Train, develop, and provide guidance to the real estate attorneys, commercial escrow specialists, and other support staff.


• Supervise outside counsel as needed, including the supervision and disposition of litigation related to real property.


• Coordinate with other directors from Store Development to enhance and facilitate the opening of new stores to help contribute to overall sales objectives.


• Review environmental due diligence to evaluate and manage risks, including attending weekly Environmental Committee Meeting.


• Help support and advise Property Management in the areas of Landlord-Tenant disputes, foreclosures, eminent domain, trespass, environmental issues, and notices of violations.


• Direct supervision of attorney managers on Real Estate Contracts and Property Management Legal teams.


• Work with Construction to resolve issues regarding construction defects, contracts disputes, mechanic and materialman liens, and warranty issues.


• Work with Store Development and Legal internationally to develop and improve processes and procedures, as needed.


• Other related projects and tasks, as may be required, from time to time.

Required

• A Doctorate degree (Ph.D., Ed D, JD) in Law is required and active bar in Tennessee, or ability to register for in-house counsel designation with the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners


• 12+ years of experience in real estate development, contract or corporate law